PEPCID MAY HELP COVID-19 PATIENTS
PEPCID MAY HELP COVID-19 PATIENTS
Check out this interesting article from MedPage Today that highlights a study in the American Journal of Gastroenterology demonstrating “more data from observational studies, this time in hospitalized patients, indicated that famotidine (Pepcid AC), which is used to treat heartburn, was associated with improved clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients.”
MedPage Today: More Evidence Heartburn Drug May Help COVID-19 Patients
“Use of famotidine in a small group of 83 patients was associated with a lower risk of in-hospital mortality and a combined outcome of death and intubation, reported Jeffrey Mather, MS, of Hartford Hospital in Connecticut, and colleagues.”
Moreover, famotidine use was also associated with lower levels of serum markers indicating severe disease, the authors wrote in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.”
Before you clear out the Pepcid from your local Walgreens: “Researchers cautioned that this is a retrospective, observational, single-center study, whose findings should be interpreted with caution. They suggested further research into the effect of famotidine on COVID-19, including dose, route of administration, and timing.
Currently, famotidine is being evaluated in a randomized clinical trial under an investigational new drug waiver in combination with either hydroxychloroquine or remdesivir.”
There is also some data that suggests that another category of heartburn medications, the proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), may be linked to a higher likelihood of COVID-19 infection and severity. So if you have only mild heartburn symptoms, now may be a great time to try using Pepcid as needed rather than your Prilosec, Prevacid, or Nexium IF YOUR PHYSICIAN AGREES THAT THIS IS A SAFE CHOICE.
As always, I would encourage diet and lifestyle choices to minimize heartburn such as limiting caffeine, alcohol, and eating late at night. As well, keeping your weight close to the target range can also reduce heartburn symptoms. If you or someone you know would like assistance treating heartburn symptoms and paving a path off of reliance on medications, please call for an appointment!
We have a fantastic team including a Registered Dietitian, Nurse Practitioner, and Behavioral Counselor here to help support the use of whole foods in your diet, investigate laboratory abnormalities, and help you develop lifelong habits for improving your health and well-being. We also have a comprehensive weight management program to try to fully optimize your nutrition and wellness. Call 224.407.4400 or visit compgihealth.com to learn more!